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increasingly important for the transportation of personnel and material. The Iraq Army is responsible for the protection

of the railway from Basra to Bagdad; but in present circumstances its reliability is doubtful.

(b) It may be necessary to maintain internal security

in Iraq.

(c) Should conditions demand it, we may have to

move rapidly to protect the Abadan refinery against sabotage.

(a) The move of forces from the Middle East to Iraq

would be regarded by the Arab States as a sign of weakness, and might have an effect exactly opposite to that desired.

If,

however, the troops come from the East they will be a clear addition to our strength and it will be possible to suggest that they are intended as an earnest of our intention to fulfil our treaty with Iraq.

For these reasons the presence of British forces in Iraq are necessary to safeguard our military interests, to show that we intend to honour our treaty obligations and to make it clear to the Iraqis that the British Empire is a force with which to reckon. The presence of British troops would encourage our well-wishers and, conversely, have a deterrent effect on the supporters of our enemies.

4.

India is preparing a division for despatch to Iraq when need arises. The move of the first echelon of this force, comprising an infantry brigade and attached troops, to Basra can be completed, provided shipping is available, in thirty days.

5.

The role of a force sent to Iraq would be, acting under the Treaty and in co-operation, where possible, with the Iraqi forces:-

(i) To stiffen the morale of the Iraqi Government

and to induce it to take action against the supporters of our enemies..

(ii) To establish a "bridge-head" at Basra and be

ready to send a detachment to protect the Abadan refinery against sabotage.

(iii) By ite presence in the Basra area to

deter hostile Iraqi elements from

interrupting the line of communication overland to Palestine.

·

.The despatch of one brigade group as soon as possible, followed by the remainder of the division by September, should in favourable circumstances be sufficient to achieve those three objects.

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